At Thanksgiving 1913, a turkey-come-lately from Kentucky shared a few minutes of fame with the fine-feathered Rhode Islander. Soon after, in December, Horace Vose died, thus ending an era. By 1914, the opportunity to give a turkey to a president was open to everyone, and poultry gifts were frequently touched with patriotism, partisanship, and glee.

Which president started the tradition of pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey? Although Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan , along with First Ladies Thelma “Pat” Nixon and Rosalynn Carter , pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys, the modern turkey pardon did not become an annual tradition until the George H.W. Bush administration.

President John F. Kennedy laughs with officials at the presentation of a Thanksgiving turkey by the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 19, 1963. President Kennedy …

Nov 24, 1999 · President Clinton pats the turkey before pardoning it on November 24, 1999 in the Rose Garden. Clinton said in a speech in Bosnia the day before “…They bring me a big turkey and we let one go so we can eat all the others.”

President Bush participates in the presentation and pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House. His grandson, Sam Leblond (foreground) pet the turkey during the ceremony.

President Nixon accepts and "pardons" a gift Thanksgiving turkey in front of the West Wing colonnade on November 18, 1969. Photographer Oliver F. Atkins

On January 20, 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the thirty-ninth president of the United States. During his time in the White House (1977–81), President Carter made many decisions guided by his fundamental commitment to peace and democratic values, emphasizing human and civil rights above all else.

On January 20, 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the thirty-ninth president of the United States. During his time in the White House (1977–81), President Carter made many decisions guided by his fundamental commitment to peace and democratic values, emphasizing human and civil rights above all else.

President John F. Kennedy pardoned a turkey meant for his table in 1963, as did some of his successors on occasion. Later during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the pardon became part of the turkey presentation ceremony in the Rose Garden. President George H.W. Bush made it an annual tradition by pardoning every turkey during his administration.

Nov 25, 2009 · President Barack Obama delivers remarks with daughters Malia and Sasha before pardoning "Cobbler," the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Nov. 21, 2012.